by Stone, Piper
The man was indeed mad, but I’d known that he’d been out for revenge early on.
“Anyway,” he continued. “The reason you survived is that you were placed in that very pod. I would consider you one lucky man.”
“I will kill you.”
He held up a single finger, shaking his head. “I would be careful what you say to me, Commander. You forget, I have your mate in custody.”
Snarling, I stretched my arms and legs, realizing that the weakness had nothing to do with the shackles. “If you hurt her, I will gut you.”
“There is no need for violence, Commander. I am happy to take you to see her, but...” He walked closer, smiling. “On one condition.”
I knew the condition. Helping him learn how to use the capacitor. I was the one smiling, my upper lip curling. “You require my help.”
“Yes.” He took a decided step away, pulling some kind of a console unit from his jacket. “Were you aware that you weren’t the first Volkodan ship to enter our atmosphere? Well, maybe I should say Earth’s atmosphere. This was a long time ago, but I remember the incident quite clearly.”
I bristled, remaining quiet.
“Yes, I thought that might surprise you. I had the pleasure of meeting with... your king. While I certainly wasn’t the important man I am today, I do think your father was impressed with my... accomplishments.”
There was no real shock, my instinct having been on point.
“In fact, the very reason I wanted you alive was to lure your father back to our planet. You see, he and I have some... unfinished business. While your communications equipment was rendered unusable, I wanted him to be forced to figure out what happened to his precious son, to have the kind of worry and fear that paralyzes you late into the night.” He tipped his head back, laughing hysterically.
Yet I heard the need for revenge laced in every word.
“You’re a bastard.”
“Such harsh words, Commander. Then again, you’ve become very human, even caring for this female. I was hoping that would occur.”
“You enjoy playing these sick games?”
“Oh, very much. I waited for years to exact revenge. Years.” He lifted his hand, his arm shaking from the level of anger. “Now, that will come true. I have a damn good feeling things are all going to work out. Now, if you promise to be a good boy, I’m going to untether you.” He hummed as he pressed his hand over the console, hesitating briefly. “However, if you so much as attempt to defy me, I assure you that I will have no qualms at hurting your mate. And you will be forced to watch.”
“I understand,” I hissed under my breath. “The time for games is over.”
“Interesting you should say that. Let’s get this party started, shall we?”
He waved his hand over the console and my shackles were released. I jerked forward, my body automatically lunging in his direction. I heard the rumblings of others hiding in the room, waiting for me to exact my revenge. As I stood to my full height, I issued a low growl. A warning.
“I can see today will prove to be interesting, Commander. Hold your arms in front of you.” The Scorpion refused to back down, standing only a few inches away.
I was cognizant my weaponry had been disabled, much like it had all those years before. He’d reduced me to little more than a human, my capabilities limited. I did as he asked, my eyes continually scanning the perimeter. There were eight soldiers standing in the shadows. In my current condition, I would never be able to overtake them.
One of the soldiers advanced, slapping another set of thick metal shackles around my wrists, a lengthy chain attached.
“Lead him through the common area,” the Scorpion commanded. “I think our people would love to see that he’s been captured.” He turned sharply, walking into the darkness.
I was half dragged toward a massive set of steel doors and into the sunlight. I was forced to lower my gaze, the bright light accosting my eyes. However, within seconds I was able to focus, shocked at the buildings surrounding me as I was taken over an ornate carved set of stepping stones. Tropical plants and flowers adorned the sides, swaying evenly in the light breeze, their scent far too intoxicating.
The buildings were beautiful in design, several adorned with balconies overlooking the large, open area. While a solid two dozen soldiers surrounded the perimeter, I was able to catch glimpses of several faces peering out from the various windows.
His subjects.
I snarled as I was dragged like an animal through the center, my hearts racing from the boosted amount of adrenaline. It was obvious the Scorpion enjoyed every second of his actions, holding his head high, a smile on his face. Every part of the beast inside wanted to rip out his throat, but that wouldn’t serve any purpose at this point.
I had to protect my mate.
As I was led into another building, several guards at my side, I gathered various scents of food, the odors far too enticing. Within seconds, I was able to gather her fragrance, my Annabella. My hackles raised, I fought my natural reactions, the Scorpion pushing his way through a set of doors.
The enlarged room was decorated with columns encrusted in gold, flowering plants everywhere. In the center of the vestibule was a table covered in food and drink. And at the very end of the table Annabella sat, her hands positioned flat on the surface, her chest rising and falling the moment her eyes locked onto mine. The way her lovely mouth twisted, the fear that enshrouded her like a blanket of death was almost too much to bear.
“Please, sit. Enjoy my accommodations as we discuss our future together.” The Scorpion moved to a chair close to Annabella, immediately lifting his arm. Within seconds, two young human women approached, jugs in their hands. As they poured a scarlet-colored liquid into his glass, he took a deep whiff, rolling his fingers on one of the girls’ long strands of hair.
Everything about the atmosphere was exactly as I’d suspected, pompous just like the man.
I was forced into a seat, my bindings released. The guards remained close, every male with a weapon in their hand.
The Scorpion took a sip of his drink before motioning to the other side of the room. Behind what appeared to be thick glass were both the Quantum Unit and the capacitor.
“As you can see, I’ve made certain the Quantum Unit was kept in perfect condition,” he said casually as he slid a glass of whatever he was drinking in Annabella’s direction.
She turned her head away from him, hissing under her breath. Her action caused an immediate reaction from the Scorpion, his hand wrapping around her neck.
I bristled, snarling and within seconds, two of the soldiers flanked my side.
“You will enjoy my offerings, my sweet Annabella, or you will be punished.” The Scorpion’s voice was deep, his tone full of admonishment.
“As if I care,” she retorted.
Exhaling, he removed his hand, leaning back in his chair. “Perhaps you are right, Commander Zecon. The time for playing games is over. You see, the Earth needs my help. The outposts are floundering, the very requirements as mandated by the Earth Federation failing. No one cares about their jobs any longer. There’s no pride in what they are doing. They need a true leader and I’m prepared to take that role.”
“With my help,” I retorted.
“Absolutely. I underestimated you, Commander, but you already knew that was going to happen.” The Scorpion drilled his fingers against the table. “Did you know several of your soldiers were very helpful in explaining just how vital your operation was to your planet and what the Quantum Unit could do? Granted, their admission was under duress, but that’s in the past. I spent years calculating exactly what advances could be made, the great challenges I would face. Finally, after the bitch of a president was booted out of her office I was able to spend quality time on preparing for a great battle. I spent years on my calculations. Years!” His voice bellowed into the hall. The man was unnerved, rattled that I’d gotten the better of him.
“Taking over Earth,” I of
fered, darting several glances in Annabella’s direction.
He took several scattered breaths before answering.
“Exactly. As you can imagine, once I realized that you’d won the initial game after all, well... I was angry.” He laughed, swirling the liquid in his glass. “Let’s not dwell on the past, Commander.”
“Why did you bring Annabella here?” I dared to ask.
“Why?” He shot a look in her direction. “Do you mean other than she’s your mate and capable of riling the hungry beast inside?”
I remained quiet, glaring at the asshole.
“Because she’s special to me and always has been,” he stated, once again drumming his fingers on the table. “Because I also needed a bargaining chip, just in case you refused to help my cause.”
“Your cause?” Annabella interjected. “To destroy Earth? To become king? I would rather die.”
The Scorpion snapped his head in her direction. “And that may occur, my sweet child. Do not rile me.”
I couldn’t take his arrogance or his threats any longer. While I was still in a weakened state, I was easily able to lift and toss the table to the side, roaring as I took giant strides in his direction.
He was startled, jerking backwards then falling onto the floor.
Several soldiers grabbed my arms, the two young women screeching as they ran for cover. To me, the sound of breaking glass and ceramic was incredible even as I was subdued, the barrel of a weapon placed at my temple.
“Contain him!” The Scorpion remained flustered as he struggled to his feet, wiping remnants of his drink from his clothing, the stain of the liquid reminding me of blood. Soon, the stain would be. He took several deep breaths, raking his hands through his disheveled hair as he paced the floor.
While two soldiers had positioned themselves behind Annabella, they remained several inches away. She gave me a half smile, her eyes lighting up.
He watched, his mouth twisting as several of the brawny soldiers lifted the table back into position, finally slamming his hands on the surface. “Enough! I am finished with the bullshit. You will help me, Commander Zecon, or I will have no recourse but to take from you what was ripped away from me.”
I narrowed my eyes, studying his. I’d never looked past the arrogance to notice that he was a haunted man. What had altered him to the point he was ready to undertake challenging his own people?
“What are you talking about?” I hissed.
He tilted back his head, taking a few deep breaths before walking purposely toward another set of doors.
I’m going to kill him for what he did to you.
Her whisper was nothing more than a stake through my heart.
Do nothing. Not yet.
While my answer was succinct, a direct command, she shook her head slightly, fisting her hands from my reply.
I heard the heavy thumping of his boots as he returned, my body tensing. As the doors were swung open, I jerked forward, doing everything I could to recapture my strength.
There were no words that could incorporate either the anger or the surprise as he walked in, but there was no mistaking what he’d managed to do.
“Oh, my God,” Annabella gasped, backing away as the Scorpion advanced, two beautiful children by his side.
While they appeared very human in appearance, the violet hue covering their skin gave them away.
They were half human, half Volkodan. Project breeding had been successful.
“So you see, Commander Zecon, you have several reasons to follow my orders. While they are lovely children, they mean nothing to me. Nothing.” The Scorpion squeezed their shoulders, his expression one of glee.
“You’re a true monster!” Annabella managed.
“Yes, my dear, but more so than you can understand.” He tipped his head, his eyes boring into mine. “Do you need additional incentives, Commander?”
“You will not get away with this,” I snapped in return. “I will not help you.”
Another rush of anger jetted into the bastard. He pushed the children away, the young women immediately rushing to their sides. As he stormed back into the other room, he swore under his breath.
The element of surprise was always useful in battle, and on this day, the war the man called the Scorpion had waged had come full cycle. As he reentered the room, there was no mistake, no discounting his threat.
I roared, jerking at the men who held me in place, cursing the monster in my language to no avail.
“Let him go,” the Scorpion directed. “I’m certain he would like to meet his... son just as I’ve been allowed to get reacquainted with my daughter.”
Chapter Fourteen
Annabella
Through a child’s eyes...
This couldn’t be happening. As I gazed down at the boy, who had to be around eight years old, an odd sense of calm swept through me. Everything was suddenly in a vacuum and even though I could hear Draziak’s calls, his attempts at freeing himself, I was barely able to comprehend anything. “He’s our... child,” I whispered, studying the boy’s eyes.
“Yes,” the Scorpion said, half laughing. “Isn’t he adorable? I’d say the spitting image of Draziak, without the ugliness of his species. Wouldn’t you say, my darling Annabella? Tiran. Say hello to your mother and father.”
Tiran.
“You... bastard,” I said, flashes of light floating past my eyes from the amount of rage pouring into my system. “You stole him from me, from his own father after locking the poor man in a cave. You orchestrated this act of revenge. Why? Why? Why do you hate him so much? Why are you such a fucking monster?”
“I’d watch your mouth, Annabella, or you will find yourself in a cage of your own, just like you were kept years ago.”
What? What was he saying? My mind was shoved into hell, visions sweeping through me one after the other, all of them horrible in nature. This couldn’t be true. This was... I held out my hands, studying the way they were shaking, forced to accept the ugliness of a truth that had been shoved into a black hole.
“Scorpion. You are going to die. You will never get my help!” Draziak insisted.
The sound of the chains he’d been shackled in further fueled my rage.
“Then your child will die, just like my son died because of your father!” the Scorpion insisted.
Stunned, I slowly turned toward Draziak, confused and uncertain of anything that was going on. Yet I remembered everything. Every single detail of the time I’d spent on Bellenia until the child was born. I remember hearing Tiran’s little cries after the horrific round of labor and I also remembered begging the masked soldiers to allow me to hold him. My son. My child.
And the bastard had refused.
I took several breaths, attempting to count just to keep from losing my mind. I could hear my heart thudding in my ears. I was lightheaded, sick to my stomach and as I reached out, wanting nothing more than to rip out the Scorpion’s eyes, my legs gave out. As I tumbled to the floor, I was able to see the face of my mother, but she’d been dead for so long. So... long.
“Come with me, Annabella.”
The lady’s voice was soothing, but I didn’t want to go with her. I wanted my mommy. “I want to go home. Please, please!”
“What’s going to happen to her?” a man’s voice asked.
I tried to jerk away from the lady’s hand. I was afraid. So afraid. I couldn’t see her or my brother. I hadn’t seen them in so long. “Mommy!”
“Oh, honey. I wish I could bring her back,” the lady said, squeezing my hand.
Everything around me was so terrifying and I didn’t know any of the people. Why would Mommy leave me here? “Mommy! Mommy!”
“I honestly don’t know,” the lady whispered. “Her father isn’t doing well.”
“You mean her stepfather?” the nasty man asked.
“Where is my mommy?” I insisted.
“Come on, honey. Why don’t you sit down over there,” the lady suggested. “Yes, he’s her stepf
ather. Be quiet. The child doesn’t need to hear this.”
“I heard he went nuts,” the man said.
“I want my mommy!”
“You will let me see her!”
Draziak’s loud voice dragged me from the depths of sheer hell, my mind reeling from the overflow of information. I remained on the floor, the world around me spinning, but I recounted every ugly detail what had happened when I was a child. All the years of thinking my mother had abandoned me were bullshit. All the years I’d wept because I thought I wasn’t loved were... wrong.
While the vision was that of a child, I was able to remember enough to understand what the officials had been talking about. My stepfather had abandoned me after a tragedy.
The memory was wretched yet so fresh, as if it had occurred only days before. I pushed away from the soldiers, fighting to get to the Scorpion. Sampson O’Rourke. The man my mother had married. “You’re my...”
The Scorpion smiled as he rubbed his hand on the boy’s head. “Yes, the man your mother loved so many years ago. Do you remember how happy we were as a family?”
“Happy? She hated you. You made her life miserable,” I said without any emotion. I’d been no more than six years old on the horrible day. “She came to your office to say goodbye. Didn’t she?” He wasn’t the big bad scorpion. He was merely a sick and twisted man who’d lost his mind briefly, forcing the stepdaughter he’d promised to care for into the foster care system until he healed. Then he’d never returned, leaving her to believe she’d been unwanted, the only way her mind had been able to cope was by forgetting. “Didn’t she?” I snapped my head in his direction, remaining on the floor.
Anna-bel-la.
Draziak’s call to me was one of anguish and of love. Pure love. The kind that would never abandon me. As tears slipped past my lashes, I could still see the happy little face of my baby brother who adored his father. I also remembered the angry words, the bitter fights, and the abuse my mother had received at the hands of a...
Monster.
“Yes. The bitch was determined to leave. As you can imagine, I couldn’t allow that to happen. Do you know why she no longer wanted me? Do you know what she said to me?” Sampson snarled, his face turning red.